Governance arrangements, spatial inequalities, and urban green space satisfaction: environmental justice evidence from Abuja, Nigeria

Urban green spaces (UGSs) are vital socio-ecological institutions whose value depends as much on governance and maintenance as on physical availability. While existing scholarship frequently focuses on proximity and coverage, empirical evidence connecting governance arrangements, spatial clustering, and satisfaction inequalities remains limited in Global South capital cities. This study evaluates how management practices, neighbourhood characteristics, and socio-economic inequalities shape UGS satisfaction in Abuja, Nigeria, using a convergent mixed-methods approach (n=360 household surveys, key informant interviews, and spatial regression analysis). Findings show that high satisfaction with physical accessibility (78.5%) coexists with widespread dissatisfaction regarding amenities (36.7%), maintenance (38.9%), and safety (42.2%), demonstrating that proximity does not ensure functional quality. Logistic regression indicates that socio-demographic factors – particularly gender, income, and residence location – significantly condition satisfaction, with low-income and peripheral residents experiencing disproportionate disadvantage. Furthermore, spatial regression reveals that satisfaction is geographically clustered (p = 0.318, p < 0.001), with neighbourhood spillover effects reinforcing spatial divides between well-serviced core districts and under-maintained peripheral areas. Qualitative insights confirm that exclusionary management, poor participatory channels, and uneven oversight drive these disparities. By demonstrating that satisfaction is politically produced and spatially clustered rather than an isolated individual preference, this study advances environmental justice debates and highlights the need for equity-oriented, spatially targeted urban green space governance.